“If everybody can’t access a computer, a majority of people can access a mobile phone. Innovative ideas like transferring messages from platforms like Twitter into people’s phones as SMS text messages and in a language they understand can help in times of disaster,” he said. “During the [2010] Pakistani floods for instance, we were able to track real-time the distribution of food. In humanitarian situations, we are able to ask people what they need in a language they understand and get that information to aid organizations or to the world.”

A round up of news coverage from Nigeria, Uganda, Zimbabwe and more, on the heels of the announcement of the FDA’s approval of new HIV drug, Truvada. Also see IVN’s coverage: FDA Approves New Drug To Prevent HIV

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“He accuses his former masters of colluding with al-Qaeda to carry out mass-casualty bombings on its own citizens to discredit the opposition. The Assads, he says, will never give up power through “political interventions”, only if they are forced out. He says the regime, if cornered further, “will not hesitate to use chemical weapons”, and that they may have been “used partially in Homs”.”

“Syrian government forces attacked rebels with helicopter gunships in the heart of Damascus on Tuesday, escalating a campaign to crush their opponents as clashes spread to new areas, illustrating the rebels’ growing reach.”

“From the very start, from the first steps, we supported and continue to support your efforts aimed at restoring civil peace,” Putin told Mr. Annan, according to Russian news agencies. “We will do everything that depends on us to support your efforts,” he added.”

“Top U.S. regulators raised questions Tuesday about the accuracy and even the future of the key global interest rate known as Libor, while facing lawmakers’ questions about why they didn’t move sooner to halt alleged bank manipulation of the rate.”

“Despite the intentions for expedited, efficient proceedings, the reforms have been lambasted by many members of Venezuela’s opposition — criticism the government declared to be politically motivated — and drawn plenty of scorn from Venezuelan legal scholars.”

“Iran’s leaders still have the opportunity to make the right decision. The choice is ultimately Iran’s. Our own choice is clear: We will use all elements of American power to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.”

About the Author

Kymberly Bays

Raised in North County San Diego, Kym earned a B.A. in Political Science and Journalism from Temple University. Kym is an active blogger, recipient of two Collegiate Keystone Press Awards, and her 2008 election coverage for The Temple News was featured on CBSNews.com. Also under her belt is a stint at the United States District Court in Pennsylvania and volunteer work for United Action for Children in Cameroon. Her interests lie in multimedia production, technology and foreign policy. She is an avid traveler and proficient in French. Politically she leans left and is a recovering Democrat, now happily a No Party Preference voter.
Twitter: @KRBays